Please contact the office for expressions of interest.
NO dates have been set for this Training and Assessment as yet
For Enquiries Contact: Education business manager, Roz Manester, by email.
Course Description/Overview:
This is the training and assessment course.
Assessment Guidelines for qualification in Kayak – Assessment-Guidelines-Whitewater_Guide_-_Kayak
Assessment Guidelines for qualification in Canoe – Assessment-Guidelines-Whitewater_Guide_-_Canoe
The course consists of three full days from approximately 9am – 5pm in which participants should expect to be trained on and off the water, covering both practical and theoretical aspects of becoming a guide. The course is intended to teach the guiding and instructor skill sets in white water paddling environments. It is expected that participants already have the ability to paddle to the equivalent of a Whitewater Skills course.
Participants will be assessed over the duration of the course.
Who:
The Whitewater Training and Assessment Course is for people seeking professional certification in white water paddling environments on Grade II – III water bodies. The Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nationwide. This course is the Paddle Victoria pathway to prepare the participant for either a Whitewater Guide or Instructor qualification.
Please note: Courses needs to meet minimum registration numbers to run on advertised dates. If sufficient numbers are not registered one week before the program, alternative arrangements will be made with registered participants.
What I will learn:
Subject matter that will be covered includes but is not limited to:
- White water guiding skills
- Refining white water paddling technique and maneuvers
- Paddling instruction techniques and teaching methodology
- White water recoveries
- Reading and understanding river hydrology
- PAQS overview
- Minimal impact practice
- Interpreting weather
- Navigation
- Trip intentions, float plans and risk management
Paddle Craft
Paddle craft need to be suitable for white water use. You will need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the award is craft specific. If you are teaching people in canoes, you will need the “Canoe” award. You may also hold both a canoe and kayak award in any PAQS award, however paddling skills will need to be assessed in both craft types.
Equipment:
It is expected that participants will supply their own equipment including boat, helmet, life jackets, paddles, kayak skirts and rescue equipment, however Paddle Victoria can provide any or all of this equipment. Please indicate your requirements on the booking form. Any personal equipment will require a safety check prior to commencement to determine its suitability for the paddling activity. If you have concerns prior to the course, please contact the office to discuss. Participants will also be required to supply their own paddling clothing suitable for the temperature conditions, be able to get wet, and be sun smart.
Course Duration:
Normally 9 am – 5 pm each day (3 days) – includes Assessment and some evening theory work.
Course Location/s:
Paddle Victoria runs Whitewater Guide and Instructor Training programs at various locations depending on river conditions/ water levels etc.
Some locations – Yarra River, Mitta River at Omeo and the Big River.
Other course locations are available for private groups by negotiation.
Differences between the Whitewater Guide and Instructor Qualification
Holders of the Whitewater Guide Award are qualified to lead or guide trips on on rivers up to Grade II white water for kayaking and canoeing. (ie, you are not “teaching” the art of white water kayaking and/or canoeing – more supervising a safe kayak/canoeing activity). This is recommended for activities such as at camps, school outings, general “experience” programs.
Holders of the Whitewater Instructor Award have a much deeper understanding of the technical fundamentals of paddling technique and development in white water environments. Whitewater instructors have been assessed at and are qualified to instruct, facilitate skill transfer to develop participants in order so that they may act independently or with minimal supervision in white water rivers up to Grade II for kayaking and/or canoeing. Holders of a Whitewater Instructor Award are qualified to guide trips on rivers up to Grade III white water for kayaking and/or canoeing. (ie, you can “teach” the Australian Canoeing correct technique and safe way to paddle). This is recommended if your group is to leave the sessions building on the ability to paddle on their own or with their peers, or if the intention is to teach the basic skills.
Prerequisites & co-requisites:
- PAQS Whitewater Skills training or legitimate proven equivalent
- River rescue training is a co-requisite for a Whitewater Guide and/or Instructor
Tailored Programs
Paddle Victoria would be pleased to work with you to tailor a location or Whitewater Guide or Instructor program for your school, group or organisation. Please contact Paddle Victoria to discuss your requirements via phone – (03) 9020 2750
FOR BOOKINGS
For Enquiries Contact: Education business manager, Roz Manester, by email.
Achieving your qualification
- A First Aid certificate including up to date CPR
- Meet log book requirements for Whitewater Guide level
- Complete a Project within 6 weeks of the Training and Assessment
- Register as a Guide with Paddle Australia for 3 years – $170.00
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment
Whitewater Guide to Instructor Upgrade Assessment
Generally the Whitewater Training and Assessment is run as one course rather than being done separately. See Whitewater Training tab for more details on the next available course.
Course description/ Overview:
The assessment consists of 8 hours, approximately 9am – 5 pm in which participants should expect around one and a half hours of written assessments under exam conditions and approximately five and a half hours on the water instructing paddling skills under continuous assessment conditions.
Who:
The Whitewater Assessment is for people seeking a professional certification in white water paddling environments. The Paddle Australia Award Scheme (PAQS) course is the industry benchmark certification designed to meet the needs of the paddling Guide and Instructor industry for education, recreational and tourism sectors nation wide.
This course is the Paddle Victoria Whitewater Guide Assessment or a Whitewater Instructor Assessment to achieve their PAQs qualification. Candidates for assessment should have achieved substantial paddling experience and qualifications suitable to meet assessment criteria of either the Whitewater Guide or Instructor qualification.
Paddle Craft
Paddle craft need to be suitable for white water use. You need to determine which craft you will be assessed in, as the award is also craft specific. If you are teaching people in canoes, you will need the “Canoe” award. You may also hold both a canoe and kayak award in any PAQs award, however paddling skills will need to be assessed in both craft types.
Equipment:
It is expected that participants supply their own equipment including boat, helmet, life jackets, paddles, kayak skirts and rescue equipment however, Paddle Victoria can provide any or all of the equipment. Please indicate on your registration what you require. Any personal equipment will require a safety check prior to commencement to determine its suitability for the paddling activity. Participants will also be required to supply their own paddling clothing suitable for the temperature conditions, be able to get wet, and be sun smart.
Course Location/s:
Paddle Victoria runs most Whitewater Guide and Instructor training and assessment programs from Big River depending on river conditions.
Other course locations are available for private groups by negotiation.
Assessment Pre-requisites & Co-requisites:
- PAQs Whitewater training or legitimate proven equivalent
- A First Aid certificate including up to date CPR
- Meets log book requirements
- Fill in self assessment form and meet requirements for course.
- River rescue training is a co-requisite for a Whitewater Guide and/or Instructor
Assessment:
- Exam to demonstrate knowledge of: correct paddling technique and Guide/Instructor abilities, navigation, weather interpretation, PAQs structure, lesson planning, risk management and safety, river hydrology
- In field assessment includes: paddling equipment scrutiny and set up, ability to brief & instruct paddling skills, group management and communication, ability to provide safety briefings, ability to perform efficient rescues and tows in white water environments.
- Written assignment for either Guide level or Instructor
- Current Apply First Aid certificate (or equivalent)
- Guide log book requirements:
- A minimum of five Grade II white water trips of more than two hours duration at three different locations.
- Up to three white water instructional sessions on Grade II water, of two hours or more, at a fixed location, may be substituted for up to three river trips
- Three white water instructional sessions on Grade II water, of two hours or more, at a fixed location, may be substituted for up to three river trips.
- Three guided white water trips as an observer under training or as an assistant Guide
- A minimum of five river trips on Grade II water, using at least two different venues
- Instructor log book requirements:
- Logbook: A minimum of five Grade II white water trips of more than two hours duration at three different locations.
- Up to three white water instructional sessions on Grade II water, of two hours or more, at a fixed location, may be substituted for up to three river trips
- Three white water instructional sessions on Grade II water, of two hours or more, at a fixed location, may be substituted for up to three river trips.
- Three guided white water trips as an observer under training or as an assistant Guide
- A minimum of five river trips on Grade II water, using at least two different venues
Additional assessment notes for RPL candidates:
Candidates for an RPL program must also supply in advance of the RPL assessment proof of prior certification and training including a log book that meets the requirements of the ACAS Whitewater Instructor award.
Assessment components for the RPL:
- RPL Candidates must meet standard assessment prerequisites.
- Supply to Paddle Victoria prior to course learning and certification that reflects:
- Instruct white water paddling skills and strokes
- Group management and communication in paddling environments
- White water rescue techniques
- Minimal impact practices
- Navigation
- Weather interpretation
- Risk management and lesson planning for paddling trips
- Log book meeting requirements of PAQs paddle trips within the last two years
Additional assessment notes for Guide to update Instructor candidates:
- Candidates must hold a current Australian Canoeing Whitewater Guide certification
- Candidates must supply to Paddle Victoria prior to the course:
- Current First Aid certificate and valid CPR
- A log book that meets the instructor level requirements
Course Duration Time:
9:00am – 4:30pm (approximately)
Tailored Programs
Paddle Victoria would be pleased to work with you to tailor a location or Whitewater Guide or Instructor program for your school, group or organisation. Please contact Paddle Victoria to discuss your requirements via phone – 03 9020 2750